The Mt. Defiance/Starvation Ridge Trail system was not worked on during the fire closure. Most hikers parking at the Starvation Trailhead are doing the lower loop. While the poison oak was always bad there, it is overhanging the trail in many places now so, even if you recognize it, you can't avoid touching it. Trails on this lower loop really need to be brushed back two - three feet from the tread.

Specifically:

1. Starvation Ridge Trail #414 from the junction with the Mt. Defiance Trail to the junction with the Starvation Ridge Cutoff Trail #414B.

2. Starvation Ridge Cutoff Trail #414B from the junction with the HCRH Trail to the Starvation Ridge Trail (There's the sketchy slide crossing on the lower end of this trail as well).

Hiked the trail Wednesday and I confirm about the PO. I had decided to wear short hiking pants and regretted it after seeing how much PO was on the trail. The middle section did seem to be the worst. The upper part had little to none. As it turns out, 2 days later, no signs of PO effects on my skin. Had a nice cooling shower/hail that dropped the temps about 15 degrees as we approached Warren Lake. Conversely on the way down, as soon as we got into the sun again, the temps rose about the same amount.
This was a great work out hike....

So is the Mt. Defiance Trail #413 cleared of poison oak, or at least less poison oaky than the Starvation Ridge Trail?

There is some but it is avoidable if you pay close attention. Most of it is on the section of trail between tunnel falls and the first switchback. The burned section starts at switchback # 8 (about 850' elevation) so that's the end of it.

BTW, the burned section of trail is 2.9 miles and abruptly ends at about 4,050' el.

Yikes. Wasn't paying attention today. Noticed it, but probably had been walking through it for quite some time. Fortunately, wore long sleeves and pants. Tecnu'd the hands/wrists when I got home. Overall though, I think Defiance trail needs a little more work than starvation. Except the PO, which seems to be mysteriously gone above 800'.

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